Hey everyone, Reecius here reposting an email I got from a Jeff S. who wanted to share his opinion on the ongoing FW debate. I feel it is important to look at things like this from every angle and let everyone have their say. We have heard my opinion plenty that it is good, we’ve heard Raw Dogger say he thinks it’s not good, and here is a middle ground voice. Read on and then let us know what you all think.
It is getting exhausting listening to people incorrectly using Forge World units in 6th Ed 40K. Hopefully this will help. I feel it is finally time to set the record straight on what is and is not a 6th Ed legal FW unit.
This has not only been a problem on numerous podcast but a number of actual 40K Tournaments are incorrectly applying Forge World to their events.The ONLY models that have been play-tested and approved for use with 6Th Edition are those that are on this list provided by their download section of the Forge World website.Other than this list no other Forge World vehicles should ever be included in a 6th Ed event of any kind except for fun with one exception. Vehicles released since August of last year via NEW Imperial Armor books and supplement that have the 40K Approved stamp have been play tested and made viable for use in 6th Edition games. Those vehicles can also be added to this list including the Tau models that have been included in the second edition of Imperial Armor Volume 3 “The Tarros Campaign”You will notice many vehicles and models are not part of the list of models that have been reworked and adjusted for 6th Ed. Chief among these, you will note, is the Thudd Gun. The use of the Thudd Gun and many other IG artillery pieces from FW is NOT legal under 6th Ed as they have not been re-written for the 6th Ed Rules.Also note that NO Character models should EVER be used, except for fun, from Imperial Armor books as those characters have been created for use in specific campaign environments and not for general play. Perhaps in the near future Forge World will re-work character models for inclusion in general 6th Ed games but as of now they have not done so. Using them can result in serious balance and OP issues when they are outside their design environment.I am not pointing fingers at any specific group for misrepresenting the use of Forge World in 6th Edition gaming at all. It is just a general misconception and a mistake that has been made even in Forge World legal events. Hopefully this can be corrected so that this very enjoyable, balancing and growing element of the 40K Universe can continue to grow. Right now its continued growth with in 40K events is being endangered by prejudice that is being caused by using ” illegal ” units in games and events.I think it is fair to say that this mis-conception probably falls largely at the feet of Forge World for not being clearer in their documentation and updates. At the very least it should be easier to find the FAQ’s and updates on their site. As part of the Games Workshop company Forge World is no less guilty of occasionally dropping the clarity ball than any other part of the company.As part of Games Workshop, Forge World is part of the 40K Universe. Its “legal” units receive extensive play testing and are part of the game now. The cost of Forge World units are very nearly identical to the cost of general release kits now and are actually cheaper in some cases. Although it is true that getting FW models discounted, as is common with general release models, is nearly impossible. In every way the game of 40K is improved by the inclusion of Forge World models when they are play tested and legally part of the 6th Ed approved vehicle and model list.I hope this helps in some way clarify and fix the one element of Forge World becoming commonly part of the general 40K environment that is causing issues for some in our community.Sincerely,Jeff Stuckey